As a result of earthquakes and other catastrophic events around the world millions of lives have been lost. However, some have managed to escape and survive against unbelievable odds.

Research into these survivor situations has provided insight into the conditions which enabled them to prevail; in some cases against unbelievable odds. Simply they survived because they happened to make their way into safety zones accidentally. They were actually unaware either of the hazard they faced, or of the consequences of their decision to move in the direction and to the location they found themselves. They were lucky.

2. Higher Probability of Survival

If you were given a proven method that would increase the chances of survival or saving your life, would you act upon the opportunity?

The S.U.P.E.R Shelter is a safe haven and it provides protection for the individual. During an earthquake or other disasters, you would take caution by entering into the S.U.P.E.R. Shelter. While inside you simply activate the electronic homing signal that transmits a frequency to emergency rescue teams to identify your location while you are still protected inside the Shelter. The electronic homing signal can also be designated for rescue teams to find your location as you are safely out of the box and need assistance.

Strong though compact, the engineering characteristics of these havens enable them to withstand upwards of 100 to 120 tons of downward pressure, roughly the equivalent of tens of floors of structure.

3. Technology Recognized Internationally

The S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER technology has received:

the GOLD Medal at INPEX®, America’s and the world's largest invention trade show - Pittsburgh 2006:

the Gold Medal with special jury congratulations at the International Invention ContestGeneva 2005

the EMERCOM Medal and special prize granted by the Russian Federation Ministry of Emergency Situations (FEMA equivalent) awarded at Geneva

the Gold Medal awarded at the International Invention Contest of Bucharest INVENTIKA 2005 and also the Diploma of Excellence

the Gold Medal with congratulations at the International Invention Contest Bruxelles, EUREKA 2005

the EMERCOM Special Prize - Bruxelles

Inventor, Dr. Mircea Manolescu received The Merit of the Invention Award “TANTAE MOLIS ERAT” with the grade of Commander in full recognition of the value of such an invention to society

The S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER was conceived to maintain its integrity and to sustain human life as a result of a catastrophe and to ensure survival of the occupants until the danger passes or, in the case of the building collapse, until recovery teams successfully recover them.

The product was initially conceived for use in older buildings, often in need of retrofitting, as an efficient method of protecting the inhabitants. Though by no means a solution to the need for building improvement, it nevertheless provides a safe haven for the inhabitants until such time as the often expensive and long-term work is completed.

In newer buildings, the occupants find themselves protected from small shards and other breakable materials, against larger movable objects inside the room which may fall during events of catastrophe such as earthquakes, and finally against the downward crush of building collapse, perhaps the product's most compelling feature.

Further, the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER provides an oasis for sustaining breathing, oddest temperature control and visibility in problem areas. Composed mainly of special composite material and rigid and resistant materials, the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER protects the inhabitants by providing the necessary elements for survival.

Access to the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER is quick and simple. The time to recovery is minimized by the technology which alerts search teams to the whereabouts of the occupants. Warnings of earthquakes have become ordinary in those areas which experience them regularly.

The S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER may be connected to such a system to warn the occupants of the impending activity and at the same time the shelter plays a pre-recorded message with safety instructions and guides the potential occupants, using lights to its position in the darkness. Furthermore, after the earthquake, the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER may transmit a beacon to alert rescue teams to the occupant(s) location. Additional information of importance may be relayed such as the smell of gas, or the need for light, or merely to obtain the psychological support of a human voice.

Compact, very resistant and easy to handle the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER offers the best compromise between space and safety. It can be efficient even in higher buildings of a dozen or more floors. It can be easily installed by two persons in two minutes. Once installed in its permanent home, it is immediately available for use, ready for the next tremor, or worse.

Key Advantages of the S.U.P.E.R. SHELTER include:

Protects the occupant from harm from glass shards and small objects hurled around the room, and larger objects which fall an earthquake, catastrophe or the outright collapse of a building.

Communicates location, minimizing exposure to the occupants.

Properly maintained and provisioned, the interior sustains life for periods of thirty days or more.

Exterior can maintain pod integrity, under direct pressure.

Enables communication with rescue teams and family.

Appropriate for old or new buildings.

Ready to use - installed in two minutes.

Fits into many creative spaces, and can be moved and reinstalled to suit.

Manageable by two persons.

CONTAINMENT AREAS MIGHT INCLUDE THESE
EASILY ACCESSIBLE AREAS OF THE HOME

5. TECHNICAL DATA

Use: Protects life in case of earth-quakes, tornados, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, war actions

Optional use: civil use for tremors or tornados and hurricanes
military use as a guard shelter, with reinforced surface

6. Live Stress Tests

a. Software Testb. Laboratory Test at the Bureau of Bucharest Technical Construction Universityc. In Situ Test, in a 36 m building which was demolished by explosion

a. The Software test

Once the pod dimensions were determined, software was used to find the optimum structure shape, to provide resulting maximum resistance for a reasonable weight (easily handled). This took into account the importance of our calculating hypotheses as we chose pressure of high severity, for every structural type and several stress conditions. The goal was to reach a minimum of 250 kN (25 tons) for the compression stress.

We performed 2,000 simulations over a period of two (2) years, during which only a few dozen configurations were selected. Ultimately there remained only six(6) and finally just one configuration which demonstrated optimum performance, and that greatly surpassed our intended objective.

b. The Bucharest Technical Construction University Laboratory Test

Once the optimum resistance structure was identified, it was tested in the laboratories of the Bucharest Technical Construction University, which produced a report of the results.

We realized one single trial, in the most severe configuration: the force was applied in a single point on a very reduced surface (a disc of 12” diameter). The support covered only about 66% of the shelter base area and the corners had no support, so the risings were without support so they weren’t helpful for supporting the compression stress.

In such a situation the laboratory confirmed the structure resistance, without major deformations, of 670 kN (67 tones) much more over the value of our target (250 kN - 25 tones).

Currently the force is applied on a much bigger area and the support (the floor) covers 100% of the shelter’s base area, so all corners will work in compression, which will rise the resistance of the shelter to a 1 000 - 1 200 kN (100 to 120 tones). This is equivalent of the weight of a concrete compact tower with a 1 sq. m base and 48 m high or 320 block floors of 1 sq. m base and 15 cm thickness.

LABORATORY TEST

c. “In Situ” test

This test was done under much more severe conditions than the scenario of an earthquake: A 36 m (118 feet) high building was demolished by explosion. In this case forces are much stronger than during an earthquake, so the tested shelters were exposed to a violent, extreme stress which usually does not occur during the collapse caused by an earthquake.

The two tested S.U.P.E.R. Shelters were placed at + 6.00 m and + 30.00 m height, which is the equivalent of the 2nd and the 10th floor of a 12 story building. Both shelters were found in good condition after being excavated under the debris. People inside the S.U.P.E.R. Shelters would be protected and survive during the collapse of a building as well as in its aftermath, until being found by the rescue teams.